This Legendary London Jazz Club Is Launching A New Music Venue

Jazz lovers in London are spoiled rotten – but there’s nowhere quite like Ronnie Scott’s. The legendary Soho club first opened its doors in 1959, co-founded by tenor saxophonists Ronnie Scott and Pete King and tucked away in a basement on Gerrard Street. Moving to its larger, current Frith Street location in 1965, over the years Ronnie Scott’s has welcomed everyone from Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis to Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, quickly developing a reputation as the must-play venue for jazz artists the world over. And across other genres, the Ronnie Scott’s stage has witnessed performances from everyone including Prince, Lady Gaga and Jimi Henrix in his final public performance in 1970.

Flash forward to 2025 and while the live music scene faces a downturn, Ronnie Scott’s is stronger than ever. The latest news is that, following a total refurbishment of the Frith Street venue, the upstairs space is set to reopen as a new 140-seat live music venue, Upstairs at Ronnie’s – pleasing news amid all of the closures we have seen in recent years, with The Music Venue Trust reporting 40 percent of grassroots venues operated at a loss in 2024.

Along with a new members’ lounge, artist space and broader investments in Ronnie Scott’s on the cards in the future, here’s everything we know so far about Upstairs at Ronnie’s.

The bar at Upstairs at Ronnie’s (CGI)

Upstairs At Ronnie’s: All The Details

Situated on the first floor of Ronnie Scott’s Frith Street venue, the jazz club’s upstairs space hosted a live programme of music for many years before it closed in 2024 as part of transformation plans. But today the legendary jazz club has revealed what’s been going on behind these closed doors: the reimagining of the upstairs space, as well as the club’s new plans to open up its backstage spaces to the public with a brand new members’ lounge and artist space.

‘Over the past year, we’ve been listening closely to our members and evolving the club experience based on their feedback,’ Ronnie Scott’s head of membership Emma Whittaker tells C&TH. ‘Now feels like the perfect moment to introduce a refreshed, enhanced offering that combines the very best of live jazz and premium hospitality. We want to create a space where members feel more connected to the music, the artists, and the club itself, making every visit a really memorable experience.’

‘With Upstairs at Ronnie’s, we set ourselves the somewhat audacious goal of creating the greatest small live music venue in the world,’ says Fred Nash, MD of Ronnie Scott’s. ‘In all seriousness, it’s about creating a beautiful, intimate space where audiences can experience extraordinary performances, and where artists feel truly valued. At a time when so many venues face uncertainty, we’re proud to be investing in live music, championing grassroots talent, and supporting Soho’s vibrant cultural community.’

Inside Upstairs at Ronnie’s, we’re told to expect an intimate auditorium paying homage to the club’s six decade legacy with striking new interiors and an upgraded stage featuring a Yamaha S3X Grand Piano, as well as high-spec Yamaha and D&B Audio sound and lighting systems utilising enhanced acoustics. Whittaker describes Upstairs at Ronnie’s as ‘an intimate, stylish setting for live music’.

‘With a refreshed layout, bespoke interiors, and improved seating arrangements, every detail, from stage views to acoustics, has been considered to create a warm, welcoming space where guests can fully immerse themselves in the performance,’ Whittaker says. Plus, a brand new state of the art kitchen will see executive chef Steven Conolly whipping up a tasty menu.

This is the largest transformation Ronnie Scott’s has seen since it was acquired and reopened by Sally Greene and Michael Watt in 2005. And we’re told to expect newness on the Upstairs at Ronnie’s schedule, too, including classical music for the first time in the club’s history along with the smaller space’s own version of the celebrated Ronnie Scott’s Late Late Show. All this alongside the jazz and jazz-adjacent, genre defying acts that have curated a cult following and kept fans returning year after year.

‘Our programme offers a curated mix of performances to appeal to all kinds of music lovers,’ Whittaker says. ‘Expect everything from vocal jazz nights and intimate gigs to R&B, classical, and gospel, including the very first Ronnie Scott’s Gospel Choir. Alongside our main shows, we’ll continue the iconic Late Late Shows, ensuring there’s something for every taste. The aim is to deliver diverse, high quality performances that celebrate both emerging talent and established artists, making Upstairs at Ronnie’s a must visit destination for live music.’

While the opening programme is still under wraps, we know a Piano Trio Series will feature, spotlighting some of the leading lights of UK jazz including Ashley Henry, Reuben James, Charlie Stacey, and DoomCannon. There will also be a straight-ahead vocal jazz jam hosted by Natalie Williams, Emma Smith, and Georgia Cécile, as well as acoustic soul and R&B from club favourites Vula Malinga, Vanessa Haynes, and Tony Momrelle. As for the Classical Series, a hand-picked line-up of acclaimed classical soloists and ensembles are expected to perform at Upstairs at Ronnie’s in 2026, as well as the brand-new Ronnie Scott’s Gospel Choir.

The Greene Room

For the very first time in Ronnie Scott’s history, in 2026 jazz fans will be welcomed backstage. This is the new Greene Rooms concept, named to honour owner Sally Green. A club within a club, The Greene Rooms will serve as a members’ lounge and artist space, also situated on the first floor of the Soho club along with Upstairs at Ronnie’s.

The Greene Rooms at Ronnie Scott’s. (CGI)

Whittaker tells C&TH that it ‘feels like the right moment to honour our history’ at Ronnie Scott’s. ‘Ronnie’s once had a legendary Musicians’ Bar – a hidden spot where artists and friends of the club would gather,’ she explains. ‘It was a place of camaraderie, creativity, and unforgettable late night moments. We’re excited to bring that spirit back for today’s members in a way that feels both authentic and contemporary.’

The space is set to function as a pre- and post-show gathering space, allowing for intimate events, artist meet and greets as well as exclusive talks and workshops.

Membership At Ronnie Scott’s

This isn’t the first time Ronnie Scott’s has launched a membership scheme, but all this newness means it’s a great time to join. ‘Membership comes with a host of benefits, including, priority booking, discounted tickets, invitations to exclusive events, complimentary entry to the Late Late Shows, and bespoke experiences both upstairs and downstairs,’ Whittaker explains. ‘We want membership to be more than just access and it’s about elevating the experience and bringing members closer to the music and the artists, offering a behind the scenes connection to the very best in live jazz.

(CGI)

‘We’re also opening our back of house space, The Greene Rooms, the “club within the club” where members and musicians can unwind pre and post shows,’ she adds. ‘This intimate bar and private members’ club evokes the spirit of ‘old Soho,’ with a relaxed, discreet vibe where friends of the house and musicians mingle freely. Expect impromptu piano sessions, spontaneous collaborations, and those exceptional, memorable moments that capture the magic of Ronnie’s.’

Find out more at ronniescotts.co.uk/membership 

When Will Upstairs At Ronnie’s Open?

Upstairs at Ronnie’s is scheduled to open in February 2026, boasting a programme of jazz, contemporary soul, acoustic R&B, gospel, hip-hop and global music as well as – for the first time in the club’s history – classical music. We’re also told a range of ticket prices will keep Ronnie’s accessible to all.

Address: 47 Frith St, London W1D 4HT

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